Apparatus for transporting and handling materials



lMarch "18, 1958 -A. o. FEIGIN APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING AND HANDLINGMATERIALS" Filed Oct. 5, 1955 mw il A mw ,Liv Q Mmm vm ww In Ik a J :Yim

INVENTOR ABNER o. FEIGeN ATTORNEY United Sttes Patent O APPARATUS FORTRANSPORTING AND HANDLING MATERIALS Abner 0. Feigin, East Rockaway, N.Y., assignor to Allied Chemical & Dye Corporation, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application October 5, 1955, Serial No. 538,6174 Claims. (Cl. 214-8328) This invention is directed to apparatus fortransporting and unloading materials which are normally shipped in bulkfrom a manufacturers plant in dry, comminuted, relatively free-flowingsolid form, and which are used by the customer in the form of solutionsof such materials in solvents, or as highly dispersed suspensions ofsuch materials in liquids. More particularly, the invention relates toimprovements in the construction of transportable tanks, e. g. tank carsand tank trucks, and conjunctive unloading equipment.

A major object of the invention lies in the provision of transportingand unloading apparatus constructed so as to facilitate customerunloading convenience, and minimize unloading labor and time.

The invention, other objects and advantages thereof will be apparentfrom considerations of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l illustrates, more orless diagrammatically in elevation, a tank car and associated waysideunloading equipment embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig.l;

Fig. 3 is a plan of the tank car of Fig. l, and

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged details in vertical section.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, indicates a tank car having anelongated cylindrical body 11 closed at either end by heads l2 and i3,and having a bottom unloading outlet i4 and plug valve l5 operated byvalve rod 16. The tank is provided with the usual centrally disposedloading dome i7, and preferably with supplemental loading domes 18 andi9 which, in conjunction with dome 17, facilitate substantially completefilling of the tank with any dry pulverulent relatively free-flowingsolid material. it will be understood that the loading domes includesuitable hinged or detachable covers which seal the tank when loaded andprotect the contents thereof from weather and other contamination.

ln accordance with the present improvements, each tank head is equipped,at a point below the axial center line thereof and relatively close tothe circumference of the tank, with a conventional tank head outletindicated at 2G. The head outlets include short nipples 21 to the endsof which are attached valved couplings 23 and 24. Mounted in the insideof the tank is a longitudinally disposed liquor feed pipe 30 positionedcoaxially with respect to nipples 2 and attached at either end inliquidtight relation, by unions not shown, to the inside ends of tankhead outiets 26. At suitable intervals along the inside length of thetank, pipe 3i) is supported and held in the position indicated by spacedapart brackets 32 (Fig. 2) riveted at their ends to the tank shell.Preferably, feed pipe 3% includes an offset section 34, shown in plan inFig. 3 and in end elevation in Fig. 2, purpose of which offset being topermit expansion and contraction of pipe 3G suliiciently to avoidbreaking liquid-tight connections at the tank head outlets 2G.

-. ipe Silcarries a plurality of outlet nozzles 36 one of r"ice which isshown in end elevation in Fig. 2. Longitudinal spacing of nozzles onpipe 30 may vary according to circumstances, e. g. 24 inches apart, andis indicated diagrammatically in Figs. l and 3. Each nozzle is set onpipe 30 so that the axis of a nozzle is directed downwardly andinwardly, and preferably lies in a line substantially parallel to a linetangential with respect to the curvature of the immediately adjacentsurface of the tank. A preferred type of nozzle is shown in axialcross-section in Fig. 4. A nozzle liquor outlet 40 has attached thereto,by webbing 41 or otherwise, a venturi-shaped casing 43 open at bothends. This type of nozzle functions as an aspirator, and a givenquantity of liquor passing thru liquor outlet 40, assuming submergenceof the nozzle in liquor, sucks in a much greater volume of thesurrounding liquor, in the manner indicated by arrow 45, and creates atthe outlet of the nozzle, as denoted by arrows 46, a heavy flow ofliquor and a high degree of turbulence and agitation.

The offset portion 34 of the liquor feed pipe 3@ is provided withnipples 48, Fig. 3, which extend toward the adjacent side of the tank adistance suicient so that nozzles 36, carried on the ends of suchnipples 4S, lie in the same plane as the nozzles (Fig. 2) projectingdownwardly from the straight section of liquor feed pipe Sil. Further,Fig. 3 offset 34 of pipe 3G preferably is positioned longitudinallypreferably midway between adjacent loading domes so as to minimizepossible damage by direct impact of solid material charged into theadjacent loading domes in relatively large quantities during the carloading operation.

Another element of the present improvements is a vertically disposedliquor outlet 55 which is open-ended at the bottom and is provided atthe top with a hose or other coupling 56. Pipe 55 may be supported by abracket 57 xed to the inside of the center dome, the supportingconnection, i. e. any suitable mechanical expedient not shown, betweenpipe 55 and bracket 57 being such that pipe 55 is vertically adjustablewithin an adequate range to regulate vertical position in the tank ofthe lower open end 60 of pipe 55.

The invention affords markedly improved facilities for thetransportation and the unloading, at a customers location, of materialswhich are most economically shipped in bulk in dry pulverulent form andwhich are utilized usually by the immediate customer or consignee of theshipment in the form of liquids of various concentrations. The inventionis adapted for use in connection with the ransportation and unloading ofall initially dry cornminuted materials which are utilizable by thecustomer as a solution in a given solvent, or as an emulsion, or as asuspension of comminuted material in a given liquor, provided preferablythat the material is sufficiently finely divided and that the suspensionis of such relatively highiy dispersed characteristics as not to carrysolid material in size or quantity suicient to impede operation ofpumping equipment. The invention is particularly adaptable fortransportation and unloading of liquid soluble chemicals normallyshipped in dry relatively free-flowing crystalline form, i. e. chemicalswhich are used by the customer in the form of solutions as distinguishedfrom suspensions. Accordingly, operation employing the improvements ofthe invention may be conveniently described in connection with thetransportation and unloading of initially dry, free-flowing crystallinematerial such as sodium chlorate which is soluble in water and isshipped from a manufacturing plant as dry pulverulent material, and isto be delivered to the customer as a solution of sodium chlorate inwater. Thus, assuming that bottom plug valve l5 and liquor feed pipevalves 23 and 24 of the car are closed, at the manufacturers plant, thecar is loaded with dry, solid, relatively free-owing sodium chlorate, itbeing possible to almost completely ll the tank Abecause of thet'hreeloading domes provided.

Numeral 65 indicates a stationary wayside liquid storagetank -atthe--customers location. It will .hegunder-V stood that .tankl'fis atleast largeenoughztof'lioldithe entirecontents of the tankcar .as a.-water. solution of v.the particularY sodium Ac`lilorateconcentrationdesired; l .Hence, on the arrival of the Ycarat the customers location,tank 65 is lled with water in quantity vnecessary .to Y,dissolve all thesodium chlorate'inihe carandto ormasolution of the requiredconcentration; line 66, .the pressure side of pump 68, and line` 69 ,areconnected .at vthe valve23 to one end of liquor feed .pipe 30 :in the`car.; return fline 71, ,the suctionV .side of y.pump..7.2,.and suction.line .74 .are coupled .to the npperend of :car discharge .pipe 55;.andplugV valve '15 .and feed pipe valve .'24 are kept closed. Pump .68 isvput in V.operation 'and waterunder pressure is charged thru nozzles 36into Alower ,part of Ythe tank car .and into the crystalbed therein.zSolution .of crystalline material begins and because of the positioningof nozzles 36, within a short time interval the whole mass in the' carstarts to more or less turn around in e. g. a clockwise directionnasindicated by arrow .76, Fig. 2.

As is well'known .in .the art,.it ispracti'cally impossible to unloaddry material from a tank .car .by introducing solubilizing liquor intothetop and attempting to draw off solution thru 'the usual tank car'bottom outlet 14.. The problem lies in provision ofsubstantiallyfeven.distribution of solubilizing liquid .and agitation throughout the bodyof the material in the itank. .Notwithstanding many prior suggestions,satisfactory distribution of .solubilizing liquid and agitation has .notbeen .attained heretofore. Previous proposals'have .resultedfin .theformation .in various places in the tankV of so-called dead spots fin.which large quantities of substantiallydry or only more or less dampmaterial .collect .and mow up with the .result that manual barring orhosing is necessary to break up and agita'terthe dead spots.sufficiently to "facilitate solution of the solid inthe solubilizingliquid. ,Even in-situations where it has been `proposed to inject water.and Vair into the bottom of the tank in the mannerV indicated generallyby the dotted arrow 7S-of Fig. 2, .the force ofthe incoming water andair becomes.sucientlydissipated Vat about the V2 to 3 oclock'position(Fig. 2), to form a mowed-up dead spot of relatively solid material fromabout the 3 oclock to close to the 6 oclock position, as approximatelyindicated vby the `shaded portion 8.0 .of Fig. 5.

solid around the nozzles and header and the immediately adjacent tankwall are avoided. Further, in the use vvof the invention apparatus,points Where the force of incoming liquid dissipates correspond tooverhanging tank wall where there is no tendency toward dead spotformation.

Injection of water thru y.nozzles 36 is continued until liquid level inthe car reachesV approximately line 84, Fig. 2.'.fAt tthisstage, fthecontents ofzthe car/.comprise a heavy crystal.-slurryxthelopfof.whichLis about at line 86 .which is `below the-Yinletend of outletpipe.55, and a su ernatant bodyfof clear, crystal-ree .solution lyingbetween levels 86 and 84. q

When thevforegoingrcondition is reached, valve V75 in line 74-isfopened, pump 72 `vis @put `in operation, -andAclear liquid isdrawn'out-of thewupper part.of the car throughV pipe S5, line 74,pump'72 and returned thru line 71 to the storage tank. Operation of bothpumps is continued and crystalffree .liquoris continuously circulatedlfrom thestorage tankthru the` car until all the crystal materialinthe'bottomof thecarfhas been dissolved, "During recirculationof'liquor, 'the mass in the car is kept churningin the clockwisedirection of arrow 76. After all materialin the car Ahas been `put Vintosolution, as by any suitable teste'. ,gygravimetrig pump 68 Vis stopped,valves 23 and "75 are closed, valve S'Sis opened, and the plug valve`1'5in Vthe bottom of the.' car is opened. Pump "72 then draws' theremaining -clear'liquid out of the car thru outlet 14, line 89,Yline-74pump 72 and line 71'into tank 65, ,pump 72 being kept inoperation until the car is drained. Y

"Thebottom' inlet end of outlet Apipe 55 may be-vertically adjusted sro.that whatever the slurry level in the carV k maybe, the pipe'55projects'o1ly into clear supernatant In accordance with theinvention, it has been Vfound and conlirmed by actualcommercial practicethat anfeven overall solubilizing and agitation distribution may ,beobtained and the formation of Ydead spots prevented by injecting thesolubilizing liquid, .under adequately .desirable pressure, by means ofnozzle Voutletslocated well within Vthe interior ofthe tankandapproximatelyin the relative position delineated inthe elevation ofFig. 2. -As indicated, the nozzle discharge endsarelocated in a lowerquadrant of the tank cross-section, are vertically ,positionedpreferably nearer a horizontal diameter 81 than to the tank bottom, andare horizontally .positioned near to but appreciably spaced.radiallyfrom .the adjacentsurface of the 'inside of the tank. Further,as .previouslydescribed the nozzles are positioned so that the nozzleaxes are ldownwardly directed and are approximately parallel to a linetangential to the curvature of immediately adjacent surface of the tank.Thus, lin the better forms of the invention the nozzles are axiallydirected'as described and preferably lie within the 3 to fsay 4:30oclock position looking at a vertical cross-section ofthe tank vfrom oneend of the car asillustrated in'Eig. 2. In-practiceit has been foundthat, by the foregoing'construction, ,the force Vof the incomingdissolving @solution is directedirnmedi ately .to those portions -o thetank load Vat which :dead spots and mowing-uptend to occur, and by4spacing vthe nozzles and the header appreciablywfromthe inner face ofthe vtank `walkgthe possibilitiesoofV huildtupnisdamp liquid, vandduring use 'of Youtlet pipe 55, line '74, pump 72 Va.nl'line"71, nothing'is drawninto pipe 5S except clear crystal-free liquor.V Valve coupling24 on the opposite end Vjoithe car`is' merely 'toyfacilitateintroduction of dissolvingliquidiinto either .orboth Vends ofthe car.

.In ,practicalV commercial operation'o'f the invention, it 'has beenpossible to unload a car containing about 80,000 lbs. of sodium chloratelin asv little as`6 hours, using only-one'nan. These results areobtained notwithstanding' `the 'fact .that equipment in the car includesnomoving parts, and no ag'itating medium other than the solvent Aliquidis employed.' Further, the only openings thru the tank .proper arein'the -tank 'heads (providing for the tarikhead outlets 20)aconstruction which meets governmental fand railroad speciiications.

'1. A-.transportable ,container .comprising an .elongated horizontallydisposedcylindrical tank, means including an opening inithe top ofthetankY adapted to facilitate loading .of thesame withY material incomminuted substantiallycdry form, a l'liquor outlet conduit throughVwhich liquor containing said material Vis adapted Ito be with(`drawn,.said.conduit having .the iriletend thereofV adapted to,openintothe.upperportion ofthe tank, a liquor outlet inV the bottom. ofVthe ,tank `for discharging ,liquor therefrom, andmeans`for.injectingliquid into the .tank to lelectformation.of a.withdraWable-liquor containing said materialfsaid .injecting .meanscomprising a plurality of spaced-apart nozz'les,f.each nozzle beingpositioned wholly within-'the confines VYof the -tank, in a lowerquadrant thereof, adjacenhthettankrwall, and being substantially 4spacedfrom lthe tank bottom,V said nozzles having the axes vthereof directeddownwardly and inwardly toward thej bottom of theftank, a`longitudinally disposed header connectedjto;andladapted.to;supplyliquid to said nozzles, saidrheader being positionediwholly withinthe,contines ofgthe tank,;fand-means including aliquid` inlet :located ina1-head tof ;the .ztankforusupplying liquidiosaidheader. V2'."Theapparatns :of :claim ;1 in which Vfthe :said .header fandmozzlesaregadjacent'tobutfsubstantially spaced from the tankY wall; the saidnozzles are ylocated .in vthe apiproximate :range cofAhe fthreegto.iourfithirty o3clock ,posiasamss tion when viewed from an end of thetank; the axes of the nozzles are directed downwardly and substantiallyparallel to a line tangential to the immediately adjacent surface of thetank; and the said liquor outlet conduit is vertically adjustable.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the header includes anexpansion-contraction oiset portion, and nozzles associated with saidportion are arranged so that the axes thereof lie in substantially thesame plane as axes of the nozzles associated with straight line portionsof said header.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the said liquor outlet conduitprojects into said tank and is adjustable to facilitate variableelevation of the inlet end of said conduit within at least the upperhalf of said tank.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,436,700 Eliel NOV. 2S, 1922 2,143,273 Ladd Jan 10, 1939 2,505,194 LossApr. 25, 1950 2,516,884 Kyame Aug. l, 1950 2,582,198 Etheridge Jan. 8,1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 644,638 Great Britain Oct. 18, 1950

